Upon joining us at Exeter, you’ll be allocated your own Personal Tutor who’ll be your first point of contact if you have any queries or concerns about your overall progress and wellbeing. You’ll be invited to attend regular meetings with them throughout the academic year – sometimes individually, and sometimes as part of a group – and it’s important that you go along, even if only for a quick chat to confirm that all is well. You can also contact your Personal Tutor at any time by email.

The relationship you build with your tutor is an important one, not least because they will usually be the person who writes references for you when you start applying for jobs.

This short video outlines some of the benefits of our tutoring system:

Your degree is made up of a number of different short courses called ‘modules’. Some of these run across a single term (carrying 15 credits) and some across two terms (carrying 30 credits).

Each module is led by a named academic member of staff - the module convenor - although most are actually taught by a team of academics who share the lectures, practicals etc. If you have specific questions about an individual module, you should seek advice from the module convenor. Alternatively, if your question relates to a specific lecture or practical, you should seek advice from the member of academic staff leading that particular session. You can do so by email, via the module’s ELE page, or simply talking to them after the lecture or practical.

Each programme within our department (BSc Biological Sciences, BSc Biochemistry and BSc Biological and Medicinal Chemistry) is led by a Programme Director, whose job it is to oversee the running of the programme. In addition, the Directors of Education and Student Experience (DESE) have overall responsibility for all the programmes and modules within Biosciences.

BSc Biological Sciences Programme Director: Dr Andrew Griffiths
BSc Biochemistry Programme Director: Dr Mark Wood
BSc Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Programme Director: Dr Mark Wood
Co-Directors of Education and Student Experience: Dr Alan Brown and Dr Katie Solomon.

Most of your contact with academic staff will be through either your personal tutor, who will provide academic and pastoral support, or other academic members of staff teaching you on modules. However, if you encounter any significant difficulties with your studies or your wellbeing, the relevant Programme Directors and/or DESE can work with you to resolve these.

The Peter Chalk Info Point, located within the Peter Chalk/Newman Buildings (number 17-18 on the Streatham Campus map, adjacent to the Geoffrey Pope building), is the place to go for any questions you may have about your life as an Exeter student. From queries about your course or timetable, to advice on wellbeing or mitigating circumstances, the team at the info point will give you the support you need quickly and efficiently.

The Peter Chalk Info team can provide information and advice on a number of services including:

• exams and assessments
• mitigation
• student welfare
• graduation
• IT queries
• module changes and programme queries
• registration and study support
• submitting coursework through eBART & ELE/Turnitin
• timetables

Contacting the Info Point

You can drop into the Info Point in person, or alternatively: 

Email: info.peterchalk@exeter.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)1392 723788

The Biosciences Code of Conduct promotes mutual respect between individuals, and sets out what you can expect from Biosciences staff, as well as what Biosciences expects of you. It encourages both personal and academic professionalism, and is formed around the three important principles of Integrity, Civility and Trust.

Integrity

Education requires commitment on the part of all those involved, and we expect you to prepare for, attend, and actively participate in all learning activities – whether online or on campus. In addition, a fundamental requirement of academic integrity is acknowledging the work of others (see ‘Plagiarism’ below).

Civility

Our community is founded on mutual respect, and acceptance of differences. We expect all members of our Biosciences community to respect the needs of others, and to consider those who may be vulnerable. If you encounter or witness harassment or discrimination, please let us know and access support through the Exeter Speaks Out website.

Trust

Relationships between individuals within Biosciences are based on mutual respect, trust and an acceptance of appropriate levels of confidentiality. Bioscience staff are committed to supporting students and to addressing problems swiftly and sensitively. All students and staff will adhere to all safety instructions and codes of behaviour as required by the University regulations.

At the University of Exeter, we take academic honesty and integrity very seriously. This means that no student should obtain for themselves, or for another student, an unfair advantage. Academic honesty means never falsifying the results of any work and always giving full credit for other people’s contributions to your own achievements.

One of the things that many of our students worry about when they first arrive is referencing and avoiding ‘plagiarism’. It is also important that you understand the concept of ‘collusion’, which is defined as working with others to gain an unfair advantage.

You will be introduced to these terms and the principles of academic honesty and integrity during the module BIO1333 Fundamentals Principles for Bioscientists, as part of which you will be required to complete a compulsory Academic Honesty and Plagiarism test. You will also be provided with guidance on how to use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT in an ethical and responsible way. If at any point during your studies you are unsure what is acceptable and what is not, you can always reach out to academics, tutors or other study support teams to find out more.

Each individual module will have an indicative reading list, which you will find detailed within the relevant module descriptor (see Stage 1 modules under Streatham Campus). In addition, academic staff on the module may suggest additional reading material during lectures, or via the module’s ELE page.

You will be able to access the recommended reading through the university library via ebook. There is no expectation for you to purchase any textbooks as you will have access online and you will also find hard copies in the library.

Would you like to learn about how an educational institution works and help Biosciences change for the better – whilst improving your CV in the process?

If so, you could consider becoming a course representative on the Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC). You will be given full training by the Students’ Guild, and your job will be to make yourself known to fellow students, to listen to student opinions and concerns, to communicate these at Biosciences SSLC meetings (attended by academics and student representatives), and to relay progress back to students. SSLC members also attend meetings of other College committees (e.g. Education Committee) where decisions about teaching and the treatment of students are made.

You can find out more about the SSLC role and volunteer to serve through the Students’ Guild website.

BioSoc is a fun, friendly and active society, run by students for students, with the aim of increasing both social and academic opportunities for biosciences students. BioSoc hosts a range of events and activities such as academic talks, biology-based trips and experiences, sporting events and themed socials. Find out more here, or email biosoc@groups.exeterguild.com.

ChemSoc is a new, fun and social society for anyone who studies or has an interest in chemistry. ChemSoc will arrange regular socials from themed nights out to beach days and picnics, with the aim to bring students with similar interests together. We also hope to increase the academic opportunities for chemistry students by organising academic talks and trips. We look forward to meeting everyone in September!

The Study Buddy scheme is designed to help you get the most out of your University experience providing you with an opportunity to recieve advice from second and third year students in regular sessions throughout the year. Our great team of mentors will share their experiences and offer both pastoral and academic advice on a whole range of subjects from 'sharing a house' to 'how to approach an essay'. If you’re starting an undergraduate course with us, you can register your interest in the Study Buddy scheme and also look out for advertisements once term begins.

This is a great way to get honest advice and support from someone who can give you real insight into studying a Bioscience degree at Exeter!